91: Walking around the market, I first heard of the beast

The Golden Bristle Talisman Brush was sold at the Yuanfu Sect's shop in the city and was a Low Grade Talisman Brush.

In the Jueling Realm, even with the Heaven-Defying effects of Xueshan City, any precious item imbued with Spiritual Qi found it difficult to surpass the first-tier, making a Low Grade Talisman Brush a genuine treasure for a beginner Talisman Master like Yue Wudao.

Valued at five Spirit Stones, it was made from the golden bristles on the chests of a group of Golden-Bristled Silver-Backed Wolves, raised in a beast enclosure established there by a Yuanfu Sect Innate Cultivator.

In this Jueling Realm, it was not easy to raise a group of Spirit Beasts. Chen Cuo, during his three months at Bailu Smithy, did not just focus on Artifact Refining; he also frequently learned about the Immortal Dao from 'locals' like Dai Xiong and White Egret.

He learned a lot of common cultivation knowledge, such as information about Spirit Beasts. Wild beasts are ordinary, exotic beasts shed their mortality, and then transform into Yao Beasts.

Yao Beasts can be called Spirit Beasts if controlled, but are Yao if uncontrolled. Spirit Beasts are also divided into first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier and above, corresponding to the Qi Cultivation Realm, Foundation Establishment Realm, and Golden Core Realm, respectively.

The Golden-Bristled Silver-Backed Wolf is a Low Grade Spirit Beast, with the Alpha Wolf being High Grade. The golden bristles on its chest are where its Demonic Power is most concentrated, making them most suitable for crafting Talisman Brushes.

Yue Wudao was willing to expend his vital essence to create and sell more Blood Talismans to earn Spirit Stones, precisely because he wanted to buy a Talisman Brush and quickly comprehend the Dao of Spirit Talismans.

Drawing Spirit Talismans requires infusing them with magical power. If one hasn't absorbed Spirit, they must at least transform the True Qi within their body into a rudimentary form of magical power, a step that is not easy.

It would still take some time for Yue Wudao to reach this stage, so he could only seek external assistance. Most of the low-ranking Talisman Masters who came to Xueshan City were like this; before they even began learning Spirit Talismans, they would first be exploited by the Yuanfu Sect.

Chen Cuo pondered for a long time, then shook his head and said, “Brother Yue, you must exercise restraint! If you continue to expend your vital essence like this, you might damage your Origin, which would affect your ability to absorb Spirit, and that would be a huge loss.”

The dishes were already served. Yue Wudao grabbed a roasted suckling pig leg and began to feast.

As he ate, he mumbled, “I understand what you're saying, but the Dao is about competition; if you don't advance, you retreat. I'm not as young as Brother Chen. There's less than thirty years until the next Realm crossing. I'm already fifty years old and have no time to waste. The quota for this Realm crossing isn't easy to get, and I just want to learn Talisman crafting as quickly as possible to accumulate more Spirit Stones.”

Spirit Talismans sell for much more than Blood Talismans. A single Low Grade Spirit Talisman can sell for one Spirit Stone. Some Talismans with special effects, such as the Rejuvenation Talisman or the Yuan Crossing Talisman, which are for healing, have an even greater value, around one Spirit Stone and fifty Spirit Crystals. Blood Talismans, however, are worth at most ten fragmented Spirit Crystals, a price difference of more than tenfold.

So Yue Wudao's idea was not bad; it's just that relying solely on selling Blood Talismans to save up enough Spirit Stones for a Talisman Brush is a long and arduous journey.

“Alas, Brother is right. But Brother, remember not to ruin your own future!”

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Yue Wudao, Chen Cuo stopped speaking. Yue Wudao's youth was fading; by the time he crossed Realms, he would likely be eighty years old. Even if he reached the outside world, how much Opportunity would he have to reach Foundation Establishment?

He could only earn more Spirit Stones; no matter what he did in the future, it would be insurance!

Speaking of which, Chen Cuo was truly poor recently. Dai Xiong, seeing his exceptional talent, befriended him and was willing to lend him Spirit Crystals.

However, he also wanted to earn some extra Spirit Stones, but Artifact Refining Materials were much more expensive than Talisman paper, and White Egret wouldn't agree to an advance. Although Chen Cuo was already confident in refining low-ranking Magical Artifacts, the agreement stipulated no salary, so Chen Cuo naturally didn't do anything thankless.

“Perhaps after I go back, I can discuss with White Egret to see if I can start Artifact Refining earlier to earn a salary. If not, I'll go outside the city and use an alias to find a way to make money!”

Chen Cuo took a small sip, picked up a dish, and actually felt a trace of warmth within his body. He nodded slightly; the Xu Family's Spirit Chef was indeed extraordinary. He then began to enjoy the delicious food.

A single meal was worth over twenty Spirit Crystals. Chen Cuo knew Yue Wudao needed to save money, so he didn't actually make him pay for it, choosing to split the cost instead.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, they strolled through other districts, mostly free markets, various restaurants, inns, Medicinal Pill shops, general stores, and so on, an endless variety.

Of course, there were also pleasure boats and brothels, where many women were as beautiful as Heavenly Immortals, making Chen Cuo's brow twitch.

After passing this district, a large commercial street appeared, bustling with people of all kinds: Acquired Martial Artists, those in the Lian Zang Realm, Innate Experts, and even Mortals, as far as the eye could see.

This street was exceptionally lively, just like Jingshui Street where he used to be, like the grand market held every half-month, with various stalls, some even displaying signs for their goods.

At this, Chen Cuo's interest was immediately piqued. He and Yue Wudao walked in. The stalls were messy, and the goods were jumbled. Some sold beast meat, some sold medicinal herbs, and some stalls even displayed Secret Manuals, not lacking Innate Cultivation Techniques among them.

For example, the stall displaying Cultivation Techniques was run by an old man with a pale face, looking as if he wouldn't live much longer. Chen Cuo went over and opened two Cultivation Techniques to see that they were both Innate Cultivation Techniques.

“My lord, these two Cultivation Techniques, 'White Fiend Art' and 'Clear Spirit Art,' are both Innate Realm Cultivation Techniques. Are you interested, my lord?”

The old man spoke. Chen Cuo glanced at him and saw that the other party was only an Acquired Martial Artist. The effects of these two Cultivation Techniques were mediocre; only their concepts were decent, and Chen Cuo didn't think much of them.

However, he still asked, “How much are they?”

“Ten fragmented Spirit Crystals each, my lord.”

Chen Cuo looked slightly surprised, truly not expecting Innate Cultivation Techniques to be so cheap here. However, seeing that both books were handwritten copies, they had probably been sold countless times, so they weren't truly precious.

After all, Innate Cultivation Techniques were sold to Acquired Realm Martial Artists, and it wasn't easy for Acquired Martial Artists to earn ten Spirit Crystals, unless they had the backing of an Innate Expert.

As for whether ten Spirit Crystals or gold and silver were more important, anyone could tell.

“I won't haggle much, but you have to include this Cultivation Technique.”

The old man saw the hidden weapon Cultivation Technique Chen Cuo picked up and immediately nodded happily, agreeing.

The hidden weapon Cultivation Technique was called “Butterfly Piercing Needle,” a specialized flying needle hidden weapon Cultivation Technique. His Life-Death Talisman Root was in the Talisman Seal, but he used the Seven-Colored Divine Needle.

The Seven-Colored Divine Needle was also a type of flying needle. The Bottle True Strength Cultivation Technique only contained methods for nurturing it, not for using it, which led to his Life-Death Talisman's control being insufficiently precise. This Cultivation Technique could compensate for that somewhat.

After buying the Cultivation Technique, only half of the Spirit Crystals borrowed from Dai Xiong remained. He could see if there was anything else suitable to acquire.

However, after browsing for a while, he didn't find any Immortal Dao-related methods in the market. There were no Spirit Talismans among the Talismans either, only Blood Talismans.

Yue Wudao walked and stopped, with many things that caught his eye, but his wallet was empty, so he could only bear the pain.

Just as the two were about to leave the district, they were suddenly attracted by a shout.

“Selling Foul Beast hides, Foul Beast blood! There are first-tier ones too! Come take a look if you're interested!”

The owner of the stall was a tall man in black, with a broad greatsword on his back, exuding the might of the Innate Realm, clearly not someone to be trifled with.

On his stall were seven or eight black furs of various animals. The crucial thing was that these animal furs all emitted a foul odor and an uncomfortable aura.